The Los Angeles Rams used their first pick of the 2025 NFL Draft on tight end Terrance Ferguson, throwing into question the future of incumbent starter Tyler Higbee.
But when Higbee heard of the Rams’ plans with the No. 46 pick, head coach Sean McVay said the veteran tight end responded with excitement and kindness toward his new incoming teammate.
“I called him before we ended up taking Terrance and he’s like, ‘I can’t wait to help this guy continue to grow, take him under my wing,’ and that’s exactly what he’s done,” McVay said this week at training camp. “But that’s where you talk about real secure leaders know that when I bring people with me, I think good stuff comes back to me and we’re going to need all those guys. I think it’s a really good tight end room as a whole, and I’m excited for [Tight Ends Coach] Scott Huff to lead the way, but he certainly knows how lucky he is to have a guy like Tyler Higbee as a veteran leader in that room.”
Higbee will undoubtedly begin the year as the Rams’ starter. The 32-year-old missed most of the 2024 season with a knee injury, but had five consecutive seasons of at least 60 targets from 2019 to 2023. When he was out, the Rams struggled from the tight end position with Colby Parkinson and Davis Allen.
In comes Ferguson, now, as the likely heir apparent to Higbee’s role once the rookie gets up to speed. The Oregon product caught 43 receptions for 591 yards and three touchdowns this past season. Those aren’t gaudy numbers by any means, but certainly quality production for the position and in-line with how Higbee performed in McVay’s offense in recent years.
Two quality starter-level tight ends will be a big boon to a Rams offense looking for new areas to expand in 2025. With Davante Adams and Puka Nacua out wide, McVay can get even more creative with Higbee and Ferguson.
This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: Tyler Higbee couldn’t wait to mentor Terrance Ferguson after the Rams drafted him
Reporting by Tyler Greenawalt, Rams Wire / Rams Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
